All posts in Best Books for Kids

Please welcome my guest poster today, author Elsa Marston who is my resident Middle Eastern Children’s literature go to! She has a list of recommended books for kids and teens at the bottom of the post.

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Lately we’ve been reading about terrorist actions by Muslims in Europe and other places, events that have again raised anger and confusion. Are Muslims really committed to hostility toward other religions? Or do most Muslims want to find common ground and live together with non-Muslims, without fear or threats? Read more…

Februray is Black History Month and I’m celebrating with a round up of books that I hope teach and inspire for different reasons. I have two biographies on Sun Ra, a jazz legend and Malcolm X, the great civil rights leader. I chose Lend a Hand for the inspiring poems and inclusive illustrations that urge readers to help make the world a better place. The Hula-Hooping Queen is a picture book story not of a real person but it reminds us that we need stories that denote children of color where it’s not the main plot of the story. Read more…

My friend Isra says her 8-year-old son is a reluctant reader. He likes Diary of a Wimpy Kid but now he’s exhausted that series so here are more! Books to appeal to an eight year old reluctant boy reader!

More Books Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid for Boys

Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look

My son thought this series was hysterically funny. Alvin is a boy who is nervous about a lot of things including girls, camping, school, and science projects. Set in Concord, Massachusetts, Isra’s son might also enjoy this Massachusetts connection!

The Américas Award was founded by CLASP in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use. CLASP offers up to two annual book awards, together with a commended list of titles. This is a great award to find multicultural books for kids~

The live webcast is here. Here are the winners and honor books! Of couse, my big question that I have asked goes unanswered is: Why isn’t APALA at the ALA party? Where are the best Asian American books for kids and teens? APALA is an affiliate of the ALA (American Library Association). They are announcing at the same place on the same day. And yet, their award is not included in the ALA event nor on the ALA awards page. It’s feels like a “separate but equal” thing.

The goal is to honor and recognize individual works related to Asian/Pacific American experiences (either historical or contemporary) or Asian/Pacific American cultures.

The awards will be announced at the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Chicago (which is were all the rest of the awards are being announced). APALA is an affliate of the ALA.

American Library Association talks a lot about the need for diversity, inclusive and multicultural books for kids and teens but … do they talk the talk but not walk the walk? Why are only Asian American books for kids specifically excluded from this rainbow of diversity? As you can see by the awards below, the ALA awards include specific awards for African American, Latino American, Special Needs, LBGT, but not Asian American. Why is this? I have no idea. You tell me! It’s 2015 … if not now, when?

Caldecott Medal and Honor Books 2014

Please welcome the lovely and talented author Alexis York Lumbard that I had the pleasure of meeting at the recent National Social Studies Conference in Boston. She is sharing her favorite 10 Folktales for Kids from Around the World!